Hundreds of members and leaders of the Archdiocese of New Orleans welcomed their new archbishop — Coadjutor Archbishop James Checchio — on Tuesday afternoon at St. Louis Cathedral, the spiritual home of the local Catholic Church in the heart of the French Quarter.

They were joined by local civic and business leaders, who formally greeted him in a welcome Mass.

Checcio is Pope Leo XIV 's chosen successor to Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who has led the local church since 2009 and has reached the mandatory age of retirement. Checchio will work alongside Aymond as coadjutor until Aymond formally retires.

The Mass opened with the presentation of Apostolic Mandate, the official document appointing Checchio, presented by Cardinal Christophe Pierre to applause by clergy members, family and

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